Dominic Cooper and Alfre Woodard Express Interest in MCU Returns
Actors Dominic Cooper and Alfre Woodard have both expressed a desire to return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) during promotional activities for their upcoming Apple TV+ series, The Last Frontier, which premieres on October 10, 2025. Their comments come as the MCU prepares for two major upcoming Avengers films, raising the possibility of familiar faces returning to the franchise.
Cooper’s Longstanding Connection to the MCU
Dominic Cooper has been associated with the MCU since its early days, portraying a young Howard Stark in Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) and reprising the role in the series Agent Carter (2015-2016) and What If…? (2021-2024). Reflecting on his time in the franchise, Cooper noted how significant it was to have worked alongside Stan Lee. He reminisced, “To do a scene with him and be like, ‘Oh, really? You wrote those comics?’ It was cool,” highlighting the unique experiences he has had.
Despite his enthusiasm, Cooper acknowledged the challenges of a potential return. “I don’t know whether there’s a world… because I’m stuck in the ’50s,” he remarked, referencing the timeline of his character. He also mentioned that John Slattery currently portrays an older Howard Stark alongside Robert Downey Jr., making a comeback seem less likely. Nevertheless, Cooper expressed his fondness for the character, stating, “I really hope I get the option to play him again because he’s really fun.”
Woodard’s Desire for a Comeback
Alfre Woodard, who gained acclaim for her role as Mariah Stokes Dillard in Luke Cage (2016-2018), also indicated her willingness to return to the MCU. Woodard previously appeared in Captain America: Civil War (2016) as a different character, Miriam Sharpe. She expressed her eagerness to reprise either role, saying, “I would go back in a heartbeat.”
Woodard elaborated on her character’s potential return, suggesting that flashbacks might be the only feasible way to reintegrate Mariah into the story. “They hated to see Mariah go because she was so wonderfully compromised and fine with it,” Woodard explained, emphasizing her character’s complexity. Additionally, she shared her connection to the MCU’s narrative, recalling how Robert Downey Jr. specifically requested her for a scene that was crucial to Tony Stark’s character development.
As anticipation builds for the upcoming Avengers films, both Cooper and Woodard are part of a larger conversation about legacy characters in the MCU. With Marvel Studios known for reintroducing characters after long absences, fans may yet see these familiar faces on screen again.
Viewers can catch Cooper in The Last Frontier on Apple TV+ starting on October 10, 2025, while previous MCU titles featuring both actors are available for streaming on Disney+.
